Treatise on circus horsemanship. HUGHES, CHARLES. The Compleat Horseman; or, the Art of Riding Made Easy. London: for F. Newberry, [1772]. 12mo (165 x 92 mm). 2 engraved plates including frontispiece, 9 woodcut illustrations on 5 leaves (printed rectos only) in rear. Marginal repair to frontispiece and small repair to title page affecting the e in initial 'The.' Half calf over marbled boards, spine gilt ruled with gilt lettered morocco label. Spine darkened, rubbed, particularly at edges. Provenance: Frederici Henrici (Bookplate). A contemporary and colleague of Philip Astley, credited with establishing the first circus in 1768, Charles Hughes is said to have brought the first circus to Russia with an equestrian display put on for Catherine the Great in 1790. He opened his own amphitheater in London 1782, which is reportedly the first to formally bear the title of 'circus.' ESTC T116463; Roscoe A245. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing